Unit 1

IntroductionSyllabusQuestionsDatabase Systems Overview

This course is an introduction to database management systems. Students will use a relational database management system to create and maintain a database.  Students will create filters, sorts, queries, forms, and reports.  Emphasis will be placed on the skills needed to meet user requirements. By the end of this course, you will: 1.  Describe underlying database theories and concepts. 2.  Discuss database integration. 3.  Create relational databases with multiple tables. 4.  Create reports. 5.  Write queries. 6.  Formulate a logical solution to a problem.

Nathan Botts, PhD Information Systems & Technology, Claremont Graduate Univeristy

Living in Rhode IslandWestat - Health IT Researcher and

CTO of HealthATM

Seminars = Thursdays 9pm ESTProjects are due Tuesday 11:59 pm

EST of their assigned Unit.All course projects submitted on time

will be graded within five days of their due date (the Sunday of the following unit).

Title: Microsoft Office Access 2010: Comprehensive Concepts and Techniques

Author:             Shelly, Cashman, & Pratt

Publisher:          Course Technology

ISBN:                0-538-74862-1

Files: Located in Doc Sharing

Read Chapter 1DB – Topic #1 and #2And that’s it!

Post a minimum of three posts per discussion question.  One initial response and two replies to your classmates

Posting on a minimum of three different days, for example: Wednesday, Friday and Monday

The first post must be made by Saturday.

Any organized collection of dataA collection of similar dataExamples of databases:

Telephone book white pages T.V. Guide Airline reservation system Motor vehicle registration records Papers in your filing cabinet Files on your computer hard drive

Data Can be defined in many ways IS defines data as unprocessed information

Information Data that have been organized and

communicated in a coherent and meaningful manner

Knowledge Knowledge; information evaluated and

organized so that it can be used purposefullyData is converted into information, and information is converted into

knowledge

Data is converted into information, and information is converted into

knowledge

We collect data Information is harvested from data Many companies are good at collecting

data Fewer are good at harvesting information

DataData InformationInformation KnowledgeKnowledge ActionAction

To transformTo transform

Keep records of our: Clients Staff Volunteers

To keep a record of activities and interventions

Keep sales records Develop reports Perform research Longitudinal tracking

(Say what?)

Field (the columns in a table)

• Smallest unit of information in a table• Sometime called “attributes”

• Phone book: an individual’s first name, last name, middle initial, street address, and telephone number

Record(the rows in a table)

• All related fields are collectively called a record• Phone book: all fields for one individual create a record

Table • A collection of records is a data table

Database Management System (DBMS)

• All the related tables, queries, data entry and edit forms, reports, macros and VBA modules constitute a database

Anderson Thomas A 123 Marine View Dr. 237-1234Benson Karen C 1300 California Ave 237-1098Casserly Rick W 12492 Rd 19 342-0502Drummond Lynn M 12059 30th Ave W 931-1105

Table

Records(rows)

Fields (columns)

Software data tools to: Store (tables) Organize (sort) Add, modify or delete Ask questions (queries) Produce forms and reports

▪ Summarizing▪ Displaying details

Toolbox is a good analogy

Microsoft AccessStructured Query Language (SQL)

Microsoft SQL Server Oracle MySQL

FileMaker ProLotus NotesNew database technologies

(MapReduce)

Operational databases Used to track and assist in the daily “business” activities Data typically changes frequently reflecting activities occurring

over time Examples

▪ H/R systems▪ Mailing lists▪ Inventory management programs▪ Accounting systems (including programs like Quicken and QuickBooks)▪ Point of sale systems (cash registers)

Analytical databases Tend to be more static including larger amounts of historical data Data is then analyzed (processed) looking for patterns or trends Often support the strategic activities of an organization Goal may be

▪ Predict the future▪ Summarize historical data▪ Prove historical assumptions

▪ Did a pattern of discrimination occur▪ What is the price elasticity for a product line▪ Developing industry averages

Operational databases can contain analytical components

Flat-File Database All relevant data in a single table, or series of unrelated

tables Work best for small quantities of data; where viewing

and sorting the data in a single list does not create a time-consuming task

Typically a person’s first databases Example: Excel spreadsheet or Word data list file

Relational Database Provide a solution to data entry redundancy problems Linked through common fields (columns) with exactly the

same data Tables linked together can be queried as if one table

Weaknesses common to flat-file systems Note the duplicate information in the table Inconsistencies in the way Supervisor Names are

entered

Can be divided into two categories Desktop databases

▪ Oriented toward single-user applications▪ Reside on standard personal computers

Client / Server databases ▪ Contain mechanisms to

▪ Ensure the reliability and consistency of data▪ Data security

▪ Oriented toward multi-user applications

Will vary with the organization At a minimum, should answer the following questions:

How many records will be stored and for how long? Who will be using the database?

▪ What tasks will they perform?  How often will the data be modified? 

▪ Who will make these modifications? Who will be providing IT support for the database? What hardware is available? 

▪ Is there a budget for purchasing additional hardware? Who will be responsible for maintaining the data? Will data access be offered over the Internet? 

▪ If so, what level of access should be supported? What level of security is needed and how will it be enforced?